The first pictures of the British and Irish Lions jersey for next summer’s
three-Test tour to Australia have been released.

The shirt will feature a collar for the first time since the victorious 1997 South Africa tour. And for those of you who are superstitious - the last time the Lions had a collar was the last time they won a series.

The overall look is similar to the collarless shirt worn on the unsuccessful 2009 Lions tour to South Africa, but a more traditional neck line has been chosen to mark the 125th anniversary of the Lions.

A tonal hoop design is another link back to the jersey worn by the first two sets of Lions tourists in 1888 and 1891. The shirt will cost £55 and is available to buy in December.

The Lions head Down Under next summer looking to avenge a heartbreaking series defeat the last time they were in Australia.

Graham Henry’s men were beaten 2-1 after recording a stunning first Test victory in Brisbane back in 2001, and the class of 2013 will want to make amends for the way the Wallabies fought back in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Lions play 10 games in total, with nine in Australia and one in Hong Kong.

The tour begins with an historic meeting with the Barbarians in Hong Kong on June 1 and also features games against all five Australian Super 15 franchises.

Gatland said: "For a player it is the pinnacle of their career. It is the same for the coaches involved. It is the highest honour, to be selected as the Lions coach.

"It is the pinnacle of anyone's coaching career. To be given this opportunity is a huge privilege. I have coached in Ireland, in London with Wasps and with Wales.

"That gives me an understanding of the different cultures and it will be important bringing the four countries together.

"As a player who played against the Lions I remember that fondly. Being on the other side is just as important," he added.

"We were bouncing off the walls. We were playing against the traditions of the British and Irish Lions."

Gatland, 48, will coach Wales in their autumn Tests against New Zealand and Australia but otherwise he will be seconded full-time to the Lions.

"Playing in the southern hemisphere is one of rugby's hardest challenges," Gatland said. "The Lions came close in South Africa (in 2009) and our ambition is to win the series in 2013 - and I believe we have the players to do that."